Arne Slot has blasted the UEFA Champions League format after Liverpool crashed out in the quarterfinals of the 2025 UEFA Champions League, MySportDab reports.
The Reds went into the game on the back of a one-goal advantage in the first leg, thanks to Harvey Elliot’s late winner in Paris.
However, they couldn’t hold on to the lead as a crazy defensive blunder by Ibrahim Konate saw Ousmane Dembele chalk off the lead with a tap-in just 12 minutes into the game.
Overall, the Reds had a more impressive gameplay in the second leg but were struggling to find the back of the net.
PSG put up a solid defensive display while hoping to strike on the counter. Credits also went to the Ligue 1 champions’ goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnaruma, who put up a great performance, denying the Reds countless times to keep PSG in the game.
After an aggregate 1-1 draw, proceedings entered extra time but the tie could not be broken leading to penalties.
Liverpool missed all their three first penalties while PSG aced theirs to run out with victory and eliminate the English side from the competition.
Reacting to the loss, Arne Slot appeared to question the new format of the UEFA Champions League.
Speaking after the game, the Dutch boss argued it wasn’t worth it topping the league phase of the competition and ending up with even tougher opposition as PSG in the round of 16.
”It (UCL draws) is something now to take into consideration about how much worth it is to end up first in the league table if you can face Paris Saint-Germain in the next round,” he said.
“It is what it is. Maybe I am [speaking] too soon now but maybe it would be fairer that after the round in between, the one that wins the league table plays against the team that is the lowest position after the teams have played,” he added.
PSG will play the winner between Lille and Borussia Dortmund while Liverpool will aim to focus on clinching the Premier League title.
